Method for converting heat energy into mechanical energy and for purifying water

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is method for converting heat energy into electrical energy. The method includes the steps of (1) obtaining heat energy, (2) transferring the heat energy to a gas, (3) transferring the gas containing the heat energy to a compressor, (4) operating the compressor to compress the gas containing the heat energy, thereby concentrating the heat energy, (5) bringing the gas containing the concentrated heat energy into contact with a liquid in a heat transfer device, thereby converting the liquid into steam, (6) converting the heat energy into mechanical energy, and (7) passing the mechanical energy to a generator where the mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy. The present invention can be performed in various structures. For instance, it is possible to break water apart and store it in one or more double-walled containers attached to an automobile, to power the automobile; a non-imaging heat concentrator may be used according to the disclosed method to run utilities, cell-phone antennas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for producing electricity. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method of producing electricity advantageously results also in the purification of water, including the desalination of sea water. The method of the present invention has particular and novel applications in the irrigation of land for cultivation, and a hybrid of an internal combustion engines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for converting heat energy into electrical energy. Initially, heat energy is obtained and transferred to a gas. The gas containing the heat energy is transferred to a compressor. The compressor is operated to compress the gas containing the heat energy, thereby concentrating the heat energy in a smaller area. The compressed gas containing the heat energy is brought into contact with a liquid in a heat transfer device, where the heat energy in the gas is transferred to the liquid, thereby converting the liquid to steam. The heat energy in the liquid is converted into mechanical energy. Finally, the mechanical energy is transferred to a generator where it is converted into electrical energy. In some embodiments of the present invention, steam from the heat transfer device is passed to a condenser where it is converted into water, preferably purified water. In some embodiments according to the present invention, the liquid is waste water, in some, sea water.

As will be explained in greater detail below, the method of the present invention may be used to desalinate sea water which may then be used for drinking water or for the irrigation of land for cultivation. The electrical energy produced by the present invention may be used for various purposes, such as the propulsion of hybrid internal combustion engines.

The device according to the present invention can be used to reduce heat in a closed or substantially closed environment in which heat build-up is a problem, by converting heat energy to an energy form which may be used and perhaps dissipated. The device may be used in conjunction with an internal combustion engine (either a hybrid engine or a traditional engine) in a vehicle that uses a liquid coolant. The heat energy can then be converted into electric energy to power the vehicle. Such conversion into electric energy allows the internal combustion engine to operate at its most optimal speed, and at the same time using the electrical energy to improve acceleration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The initial energy used to evaporate the liquid may be running or falling water, electrical, or fossil fuel, but is most desirably solar or ambient heat. It is particularly desirable that the water be preheated by any means, such as lava flows or solar energy collected by a large array of solar coils or panels which may or may not be black.

The liquid is most desirably water, but may be other liquids such as crude oil (and other hydrocarbon fractions), alcohols and ammonia. Where the liquid is sea water, the device is desirably located near the sea, but may also be located in-land if a water tower or other collector is employed. In some embodiments of the invention, the first chamber containing the evaporator is located beneath ground level for heat stability and heat conservation.

An important feature of the present invention is that it can be constructed with air conditioning components which are new, old or even discarded.

Irrigation systems may be attached directly or indirectly to the water purifying device of the present invention. Such irrigation systems are not particularly limited and include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,484,439, 6,619,565, 6,626,367, 6,695,231 and 6,834,662 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Most preferred among these systems are drip-systems.

The steam engine component of the present invention is not particularly limited and includes those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,273 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Where operation must occur at low temperatures, a series of more than one steam engine component, working in tandem or in parallel, may be used. 

1. A method for converting heat energy into electrical energy, comprising the steps of, obtaining heat energy, transferring the heat energy to a gas, transferring the gas containing the heat energy to a compressor, operating the compressor to compress the gas containing the heat energy, thereby concentrating the heat energy, bringing the gas containing the concentrated heat energy into contact with a liquid in a heat transfer device, thereby converting the liquid into steam, converting the heat energy into mechanical energy, and passing the mechanical energy to a generator where the mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat energy is obtained from sunlight or the ambient.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the heat energy is collected in a member selected from the group consisting of solar panel, a solid heat source, a geothermal heat source, and a combination thereof.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the heat energy is concentrated by a lens.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat energy is obtained from a hydrocarbon fire.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat energy is obtained from an engine.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said steps of obtaining heat energy and transferring the heat energy to a gas, occur in a single step.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of, converting the heat energy into mechanical energy, occurs in a member selected from the group consisting of a turbine engine, a stirling engine, and a steam engine.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the heat energy to a gas, occurs in a heat exchanger.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the gas containing the heat energy to a compressor, comprises the sub-step of transferring the gas through an intake pipe.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the intake pipe includes a pressure block.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of bringing the liquid containing the heat energy into contact with a generator to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprises the sub-step of bringing the gas into contact with the blades of a turbine to cause the turbine to rotably move.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the turbine is operatively connected to generator.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the rotational motion of the turbine transfers mechanical energy to the generator.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the turbine is operatively connected to a drive shaft.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotational motion of the turbine transfers mechanical energy to the drive shaft.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressor is operatively connected to a boiler.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the compressor is thermally insulated.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressor is located below ground level.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the boiler is located below ground level.
 21. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of transferring the steam to a condenser where it is converted into a purified liquid.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the purified liquid is water.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat energy is obtained from combustion.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat energy is obtained from a hydrogen source.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat energy is obtained from an oxygen source.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the heat energy to a gas, is performed underground.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the gas containing the heat energy to a compressor, is performed underground.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating the compressor to transform the gas into a liquid containing the heat energy, is performed underground.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of bringing the liquid containing the heat energy into contact with a generator to convert the heat energy into electrical energy, is performed underground.
 30. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat energy is collected in a solar panel.
 31. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat energy is collected in a solid heat source.
 32. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat energy is collected in a geothermal heat source.
 33. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat energy is collected in a combination thereof. 